The Tasmanian connection will continue at the Werribee Tigers next season.
Glenorchy product Ben Brown used his stint with the Tigers in the VFL as a springboard to the AFL, where he was drafted by North Melbourne last month.
Jesse Crichton, originally from North Launceston, and Jobi Harper, a South Launceston premiership star, want to follow in Brown’s footsteps after signing on the dotted line in further Apple Isle coups for the Tigers last week.
“The Spirit of Tasmania must dock out front of the footy club,” Tigers football operations manager Stuart Balloch quipped to the Weekly.
Crichton has already played 18 games at the top level with Fremantle.
The 22-year-old spent four seasons on the Dockers’ list before the AFL runners- up delisted him at the end of last season, and he’s desperate to get back into the professional system.
Crichton, who has mainly played as a running half back, will be given flexibility to find his best position under Tigers coach John Lamont.
“Obviously there comes a point where it’s about winning games, but where he fits into the make-up … there’s a bit of flexibility there,” Balloch said.
Harper is a raw but no less exciting prospect. The young midfielder, who was the most valuable player in South Launceston’s nine-point grand final win over Burnie in September, is not dissimilar to Brown in that he will be second year out of the Tassie Mariners and eager to flourish in a more professional environment under top-level coaches.
“We’ll do a bit of homework on him and find out where he’s going to get every opportunity of playing at a potentially higher standard of footy,” Balloch said.
Meanwhile, the Tigers have brought in former Bendigo Bombers captain Trent Shinners to hold down a key defensive post.
Shinners is seen as a direct replacement for Kris Pendlebury, who departed after an injury-interrupted season.
“We were a little bit limited down there in our finals campaign in 2013 so he really shores us up across the back half and brings a bit of leadership to the group as well,” Balloch said.
Brayden Norris, once on North Melbourne’s list before spending the past two seasons with Aberfeldie in the EDFL, will bolster the midfield stocks.
Ben Speight will follow a similar route, committing to the Tigers full time after being delisted by North Melbourne.
Scott Clouston has been granted a release to Williamstown after
reaching a financial settlement with the Tigers
